Before I begin, thanks to all those of you who faved and followed both the story and the author. Following the story is also how you will be informed when the author (that's me!) posts a new chapter.

And here we have a new chapter! I think I'm gonna keep this story firmly in the teen range; however, I may post the more explicit moments in their own story! Also, be sure to check out 'The Serpent and the Dragon' collection-a series of stories focusing on Luka and Kagami!

Lastly, I feel that there is no real need to say this-buuuut….Miraculous Ladybug is the exclusive property of Thomas Astruc. After all, if I owned MLB, this would be reality…

Anyway, enough of the rambling, here's what you really want!

Previously…

Adrien turned to face Marinette. He said, "Marinette…I have to tell you something."

Marinette replied, "Oh? I have something to tell you, as well…"

Adrien stood facing Marinette. He practiced this moment in his mind- for two weeks before this trip, the four hours they spend on the road…hell, his 'asking about the rooms' was him spending 10 of the 15 minutes psyching himself up.

And now-he froze up…

Marinette gazed at Adrien, wondering what was so important a few moments ago, and was now not so important. The silence was overwhelming….

"I love you, Marinette!"

"I love you, Adrien!"

Both teens stared at each other-and began to notice the blush creeping up their faces. Adrien then said, "Did you just confess…"

Marinette said, "…wait…did you just confess?"

Adrien chuckled, and said, "I think we confessed at the same time."

Marinette said, "It is true, Adrien…you love me?"

Adrien said, "Yeah…it's true. And I guess you feel the same way."

Marinette said, "Oh, Adrien! Even since that day you gave me the umbrella…I gave you my heart…and I hoped that one day you would return my feelings."

Adrien said, "Oh, Marinette…I'm happy…but I'm also sorry…"

Marinette said, "Why are you sorry?"

Adrien said, "Because it took me this long to see it. Marinette…you're an amazing girl."

Marinette said, "Really? But I'm not rich like Chloe…or Kagami…I'm just…me…"

Adrien saw she drooped her head. He cupped her chin, and gently lifted her head. He then said, "And you know what...I might like those girls…but I love you, Marinette. You were there when…it all came crashing down…"

Marinette remembered…the day they took down Hawk Moth as Paris' heroes Ladybug and Cat Noir….and the reveal that their most dangerous enemy was Adrien's own father…and though his intentions were well-meaning-healing Adrien's ill mother-he had waged a destructive war against the citizens of Paris. The despair could have destroyed Adrien.

But Marinette was there-hell, all his friends were there…but Marinette's family opened their home for him when being at the Agreste Manor was too much for him. And she spent many nights consoling Adrien…it was Marinette who convinced him that after the darkest of nights, there would be better days ahead.

Marinette was then brought back to the present by Adrien lightly gripping her shoulder. He pulled her close to him. He said, "Remember this? When we were about to kiss in Nino's film?"

Marinette replied, "Yeah! And Chloe interrupted us…"

Adrien then said, "Well, no one can interrupt us now..." They closed the already short distance between themselves…and Adrien gently pressed his lips on Marinette's. They split apart, and Adrien said, "Huh…that's it?"

Marinette said, "What's wrong?"

Adriene replied, "I guess…I was expecting more…"

Marinette said, "Was I that bad?"

Adrien, with a sly smile, said, "I know how you can get better…"

Marinette smiled back, and they came together in another kiss. This one, they both got into, as Marinette brought her hands up and around Adrien's neck. He gripped her waist and brought her closer to his body. She then lightly brushed his lips with her tongue, which caused him to open his mouth to accept her tongue,

They were into this…and each other…they didn't hear the adjoining door open. Nino and Alya-who were staying in the room next to Adrien and Marinette, entered the room. Nino said, "Hey, guys, what do you wanna do for dinner? I was checking out…"
Nino stopped his sentence to take in the scene and Alya, who was right behind him, prepared to add to Nino's statement, was stunned in silence at the scene. Alya and Nino smiled at each other, and fist bumped as if to say, About damn time!

Eventually-because they both needed air- they broke the kiss but shared a held gaze. It was only mere moments later that they realized they had company. They slowly turned to see Nino and Alya standing in the room. Marinette said, "Hey, guys…didn't hear you come in…", while laughing nervously.

Adrien said, "Yeah. Marinette and I needed to…resolve our feelings…and I'm happy with how everything turned out,"

There was a bit of silence before Marinette asked, "So, what's up, guys?"

Nino said, "We were just checking to see what you guys wanted to do for dinner…"

Alya then said, "Buuuuttttt….if you want, we can let you two get back to dessert…"

Marinette's face turned a new shade of red- but Adrien came to the rescue. He said, "Dinner sounds great, guys! Let's get changed and head out." He turned to Marinette and said, "I have a special treat for us…a romantic trip in one of the riverboats."

Marinette said, "Really? Just the two of use?"

Adrien replied, "Yep. But now, my lady…let us get ready for dinner."

One hour later, the group was headed to a small restaurant. They ordered carbonnade and mussels with fries. After dinner, Alya and Nino headed back to their hotel. Adrien and Marinette grabbed stroop-waffels from a street vendor, then made their way to the canals. They saw a boat, and got in.

As the boat snaked its way through the canals, Marinette found some courage and said, "Thank you for this, Adrien."

Adrien replied, "Anything for my lady." Marinette giggled, and scooted closer to Adrien. She wrapped her arms around his waist, and her put his arm around her shoulder. He said, "Marinette…being with you…makes me so happy…especially after everything that's happened."

Marinette replied, "I'm happy that I could help…no one should have to face sadness and despair like that…I vowed that I would not ever let you be alone like that…and now…"

Adrien looked into her bluebell eyes, and said, "I believe that the best is ahead of us." He then brought his lips to hers and they shared another kiss. But soon enough the boat ride ended, and Adrien decided to return to the hotel.

They relaxed in their own ways- with Marinette reading a fashion magazine and Adrien enjoying something on TV. They were joined by Nino and Alya, who pressed Marinette for details about the post-dinner boat ride. Marinette spilled, telling how she and Adrien shared their feelings on the boat and became even closer.

They spent the few hours chatting and talking about many things. Eventually, Alya and Nino returned to their room, and Alya said, "We'll try to keep the passionate noises to a minimum…let's go, Mr. DJ."

Now it was just Adrien and Marinette. Adrien was wearing a pair of silk pajama pants, and Marinette was wearing the top. He pulled the covers back and said, "Shall we retire for the night, my lady?"

Marinette gently pushed him onto the bed and climbed in after him. She was now straddling Adrien's waist. She looked at him, and said, "Now, Chaton…"

Adrien looked up at his ladybug-love, and said, "What do you have in mind?"

Marinette smiled, and replied, "Oh, a little idea Alya gave me…I've already pounced on you…now I'm going to smother you with kisses…"

And with that, she leaned in and began to kiss Adrien-with more passion that the other kisses they shared. And Adrien was up to the challenge, showing he could five it as good as he could get it. He turned the tables- by switching positions so that he was on top. It was his turn to smother Marinette with kisses, planting them in her neck and upper chest.

Soon enough, they switched again. Marinette looked down at Adrien, and said, "We'd better call it quits, Chaton…want to have some energy for sightseeing tomorrow."

Adrien pouted, saying, "But my lady's kisses give me strength…"

Marinette playfully rolled her eyes, and smiling, replied, "You're such a charmer…"

Adrien replied, "That's just one of my good qualities…"

Marinette then lay her head on Adrien's chest, and Adrien wrapped his arms around her, And they were soon asleep.

And so this chapter ends! I was considering making this a little bit bigger, with them sightseeing, but that can wait for the next chapter!

Next leg of the road trip is coming up!